Family Appeals for Witnesses Following Tragic Mesothelioma Death

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News Summary

The family of Shirley Witcombe seeks witnesses to her asbestos exposure at Astra Pyrotechnics Ltd, hoping to understand her mesothelioma diagnosis.

Family Appeals for Witnesses Following Tragic Mesothelioma Death

The family of Shirley Witcombe, who tragically passed away from mesothelioma in February 2024 at the age of 78, is urging anyone with knowledge of her possible exposure to asbestos during her time at Astra Pyrotechnics Ltd (known for its fireworks) to come forward. This appeal for witnesses is part of ongoing efforts by her family to understand the circumstances surrounding her illness and pursue justice for their beloved matriarch.

Background on Shirley Witcombe

Shirley Witcombe devoted a significant portion of her life to her work at Astra Fireworks, beginning her employment in 1985 after moving back to the UK from Germany with her husband, John Witcombe, a dedicated RAF officer. At Astra, Shirley was assigned to a hut on the Sandwich site, where she was responsible for sorting fireworks components into canisters. Tragically, the very materials used in her workplace included asbestos, which was prevalent in the construction of the huts and was reportedly damaged during the Great Storm of 1987.

A Work Environment Shrouded in Danger

In her role, Shirley was required to clean her work surface daily with a dustpan and brush. Despite this routine, she often found herself surrounded by a cloud of dust generated from fireworks components and construction debris. However, her experiences with asbestos were overshadowed by the immediate hazards of the job and went largely unnoticed. Sadly, these dust particles may have posed serious health risks, which later led to her grave illness.

This Hidden Illness

Upon retiring in 2000, Shirley began to notice troubling breathing issues in 2023. Following a series of tests, including lung drains, she was referred to a hospital, where a biopsy confirmed the devastating diagnosis of mesothelioma in November 2023. Understanding the critical nature of her situation, Shirley took proactive steps to seek legal advice from law firm Leigh Day before her passing, igniting a quest for accountability. The family has since decided to continue this legal claim in her memory.

Call for Witnesses

The Witcombe family is particularly keen to identify others who may have worked at Astra Fireworks alongside Shirley, or even in the same period, as they believe these testimonies could provide valuable insights into her exposure to asbestos. Understanding the work environment and conditions could be crucial in their pursuit of justice.

A Message from John Witcombe

The grief felt by John Witcombe and their family is immeasurable. The pain of losing Shirley so soon after her diagnosis has shaken the family to its core. They seek closure and hope to prevent similar tragedies for other families.

Community Impact and Recent Events

In a separate but notable incident in the Kent region, emergency services responded to a fire at the Embassy truck stop in Sandwich on February 23, 2025. The blaze broke out in an industrial unit behind the Embassy Diner and drew a significant response, with seven fire engines arriving at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised at 3:37 PM. Firefighters worked diligently to control the situation, with a Detection, Identification & Monitoring vehicle also present to assess potential hazards.

Residents in the vicinity were advised to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed due to smoke, while firefighting efforts continued throughout the evening. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and by 8:30 PM, fire operations had wrapped up, allowing for subsequent electrical checks before the Roadhouse Diner’s planned reopening.

Conclusion

The ongoing struggle that the Witcombe family faces highlights the devastating effects of asbestos exposure, a hidden danger that can lie dormant for decades before surfacing as a fatal illness. Their plea for witnesses serves not only as a quest for answers but also as a heartfelt reminder of the importance of workplace safety. The impact of Shirley’s life and untimely death continues to resonate within the community, highlighting the crucial need for awareness surrounding the risks associated with asbestos and protecting future generations.